Real-time adjustment and control of pulse energy for “on-the-fly” precision manufacturing

Santa Clara, CA – February 16, 2016 – Spectra-Physics® introduces E-Track™ dynamic pulse energy control for its Explorer® One™ family of ultra-compact UV and green actively Q-switched diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) lasers. E-Track actively measures and controls the laser for continual energy and power stabilization even under rapidly changing operating set points or environments. This unique new feature enables “on-the-fly” adjustments in pulse energy levels and rapid gating for precision micromachining applications including scribing, marking, and drilling of tiny features, holes and thin layers in a wide range of materials and devices.

“Besides the incredibly fast pulse energy stabilization, E-Track enables customers, in real-time while processing parts, to access, monitor and adjust pulse energy levels to realize instantaneous process improvements,” says Wolfgang Koehler, product manager at Spectra-Physics Stahnsdorf. “Customers are delighted about the new process capability enabled by E-Track, which further adds to the advanced functionality of the highly successful Explorer One family of lasers.”

E-Track operates even at high pulse repetition frequencies and can be controlled either via serial commands or by supplying an analog signal to the laser. E-Track is available on all 7 models of Explorer One.

Explorer One are “It’s in the Box™” lasers, integrating power supply and laser head into a single, lightweight package. Explorer One has been tested to endure bare product shock and vibration with accelerations of more than 200 g’s, making it perfect for use on moving gantries. The laser is based on the proven Explorer platform with demonstrated high reliability from thousands of units deployed in 24/7 applications.